Abdurrahman and Aquino compare notes on democracy

MANILA (JP): Indonesian President Abdurrahman Wahid and former Philippine president Corazon Aquino met here on Monday to compare notes on the transition to democracy in their respective countries.

After the meeting Aquino said she found the new Indonesian leader an "endearing and lively" character.

The two came to power in their respective countries amid similar climates and both leaders faced much the same problems immediately after assuming office.

Aquino became president of the Philippines in 1986 after a popular revolt toppled then president Ferdinand Marcos. Abdurrahman's election came on the heels of the 18-month transitional administration of B.J. Habibie, who assumed office after Soeharto was forced to step down after a 32-year reign.

Abdurrahman met the former Philippine leader on Monday morning before returning to Jakarta after Sunday's summit of East Asian leaders.

Aquino said she and Abdurrahman agreed that "for everybody, the transition (to democracy) is very difficult".

One issue which both faced after their ascendancy to the presidency was the question of the alleged wealth illegally accumulated by their predecessors.

Aquino said Abdurrahman told her that "Soeharto must be repentant and that he should return the wealth".

"What he was saying was that, along with the repentance, of course, the money should be returned to Indonesia. I think it hinges on that," Aquino was quoted by AFP as saying.

Abdurrahman did not provide details of the meeting, only saying that he was proud to meet Aquino.

"I told her that we in Indonesia admired her struggle to uphold democracy, together with Cardinal Sin," Abdurrahman told journalists during the flight to Jakarta.

"I invited her to come to Indonesia to meet her many admirers," he said, adding that Filipino names like Macapagal and Ninoy Aquino were respected names praised by Indonesians.

Apart from being tasked with recovering the alleged wealth of their predecessors, Abdurrahman and Aquino also faced domestic strife, albeit in differing degrees.

Abdurrahman faces a growing secessionist threat while Aquino was confronted by attempted takeovers from within her own government.

Aquino also told Abdurrahman of the coup attempts that rightist military rebels mounted against her when she first assumed the presidency, as well as problems in her Cabinet which forced her to dismiss a number of ministers.

However, she said Abdurrahman seemed satisfied with the people in his Cabinet.

"He is pleased that (Vice President) Megawati Soekarnoputri is working with the government." (prb/mds)